Increase In Pore Water Pressure Research Articles

Global Sensitivity Analysis of Slope Stability Considering Effective Rainfall with Analytical Solutions

Abstract: Rainfall-induced landslides are widely distributed in many countries. Rainfall impacts the hydraulic dynamics of groundwater and, therefore, slope stability. We derive an analytical solution of slope stability considering effective rainfall based on the Richards equation. We define effective rainfall as the total volume of rainfall stored within a given range of the unsaturated zone during rainfall events. The slope stability at the depth of interest is provided as a function of effective rainfall. The validity of analytical solutions of system states related to effective rainfall, for infinite slopes of a granite residual soil, is verified by comparing them with the corresponding numerical solutions. Additionally, three approaches to global sensitivity analysis are used to compute the sensitivity of the slope stability to a variety of factors of interest. These factors are the reciprocal of the air-entry value of the soil α, the thickness of the unsaturated zone L, the cohesion of soil c, the internal friction angle ϕ related to the effective normal stress, the slope angle β, the unit weights of soil particles γs, and the saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks. The results show the following: (1) The analytical solutions are accurate in terms of the relative differences between the analytical and the numerical solutions, which are within 5.00% when considering the latter as references. (2) The temporal evolutions of the shear strength of soil can be sequentially characterized as four periods: (i) strength improvement due to the increasing weight of soil caused by rainfall infiltration, (ii) strength reduction controlled by the increasing pore water pressure, (iii) strength reduction due to the effect of hydrostatic pressure in the transient saturation zone, and (iv) stable strength when all the soil is saturated. (3) The large α corresponds to high effective rainfall. (4) The factors ranked in descending order of sensitivity are as follows: α > L > c > β > γs > Ks > ϕ.

Numerical Study on the Liquefaction Potential Analysis Using Constitutive Models for Sand and Silt in Mamuju, West Sulawesi

Background Sulawesi Island, located in the Eastern Indonesian archipelago, is known for its high seismic activity. In 2021, West Sulawesi experienced an earthquake with a mainshock of 6.2 MW, which resulted in liquefaction characterized by sand boil and lateral spreading at various locations, including near the North coast of Mamuju. Objective This study aims is to assess the potential for liquefaction at a nearshore location in Mamuju, West Sulawesi. The assessment focuses on the increase in pore water pressure in an area characterized by multiple layers of sand, silt, and clay soils. Methods Numerical analysis was conducted by modeling one-dimensional soil column using PM4Sand and PM4Silt constitutive models calibrated using PLAXIS 2D soil test feature with the Cyclic Direct Simple Shear (CDSS) test method. Furthermore, the study included spectral matching of the ground motion from the 2021 Mamuju earthquake to the spectral response at the research site as motion input. Results Analysis results indicate the potential for liquefaction in silty sand and sandy silt soils with sand-like behavior, as evidenced by an excess pore water pressure ratio exceeding 0.8. Meanwhile, sandy silt and sandy clay soils, with a plasticity index (PI) greater than 7, showed no liquefaction potential at a peak ground acceleration of 0.478 g. Conclusion In conclusion, soil relative density plays an important role in influencing pore water pressure and liquefaction susceptibility, which should be considered when planning and designing in earthquake-prone areas, shallow groundwater tables, sand, silt, and clay layers.

Experimental and numerical investigation of seepage erosion in sandy cobbles under coupling hydraulic and dynamic load

The internal structure of sandy cobbles strata is sensitive to disturbances in the urban underground environment, but the structural evolution process under coupling hydraulic and dynamic loads remains unexplored. This paper presents a detailed investigation into the migration patterns and mechanisms of fine particles in sandy cobbles induced by coupled hydraulic and dynamic loading. A sandy cobble specimen with a typical particle size distribution (PSD) was designed and tested using an apparatus that included a constant inlet water head control system and an eccentric-vibrator-based dynamic loading system. Based on physical modeling tests, a numerical model was constructed to replicate the internal structural evolution under hydraulic and dynamic loading by calibrating the time history of local permeability. The test results indicate that the application of dynamic load can instantly disrupt the stable internal structure of sandy cobbles under static seepage, imparting kinetic energy to fine particles that detach from the skeleton structure and migrate along the seepage direction. Significant fine particle loss occurs near the seepage outlet, but due to energy loss during migration, fine particles far from the seepage outlet are recaptured by the skeleton pore throats and clogged again in the migration path. As the intensity of the dynamic loading increases, the migration path for fine particles becomes longer, and the amount and size of fine particles lost significantly increase. The changes in the internal structure of the soil are reflected in hydraulic parameters as a transient increase in local flow velocity, an increase in local pore water pressure due to clogging, and a decrease in the overall permeability coefficient with the loss of fine particles. The findings of this study will be useful for future geotechnical engineering design and analysis.

An enhanced numerical model for considering coupled strain-softening and seepage effects on rock masses surrounding a submarine tunnel

The seepage of groundwater and the strain-softening of rock mass in a submarine tunnel expand the plastic region of rock, thereby affecting its overall stability. It is therefore essential to study the stress and strain fields in the rocks surrounding the submarine tunnel by considering the coupled effect of strain-softening and seepage. However, the evolution equation for the hydro-mechanical parameters in the existing fully coupled solution is a uniform equation that is unable to reproduce the characteristics of rock mass in practice. In this study, an updated numerical procedure for the submarine tunnel is derived by coupling strain-softening and seepage effect based on the experimental results. According to the hydro-mechanical coupling theory, the hydro-mechanical parameters such as elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, Biot's coefficient and permeability coefficient of rocks are characterized by the fitting equations derived from the experimental data. Then, the updated numerical procedure is deduced with the governing equations, boundary conditions, seepage equations and fitting equations. The updated numerical procedure is verified accurately compared with the previous analytical solution. By utilizing the updated numerical procedure, the characteristics of stress field and the influences of initial pore water pressure, Biot's coefficient, and permeability coefficient on the stress, displacement and water-inflow of the surrounding rocks are discussed. Regardless of the variations in hydro-mechanical parameters, the stress distribution has a similar trend. The initial permeability coefficient exerts the most significant influence on the stress field. With the increases in initial pore water pressure and Biot's coefficient, the plastic region expands, and the water-inflow and displacement increase accordingly. Given the fact that the stability of the tunnel is more sensitive to the seepage force controlled by the hydraulic parameters, it is suggested to dewater the ground above the submarine tunnel to control the initial pore water pressure.

Experimental Tests of Slope Failure due to Rainfall using Physical Slope Modeling

In order to investigate the damage due to slope failure is very important. The main aim of this study is to found experimentally the effects of slope and rainfall intensity on stability of slope. We performed number of experimental tests using our varying slope model. To understand the failure mechanism of slopes there are various methods and also some models are been prepared for testing purpose. Slope failure can be occurred due to increase in pore water pressure, weathering of soil, cracking, decomposition of clayey rock fills, intensity of rainfall, duration of rainfall. By considering all these causes analysis of slope stability is most important to protect the slopes from failures. Slope stability analysis can be static, analytical methods to evaluate the stability of hills, natural slopes, excavated slopes etc. Analysis is generally done to understand the causes of failure or factors which affect the movement of slopes etc. Model development is also one of the ways to analyse the slope failure because of some specific reason. So understanding the rainfall effect on the slopes in hilly region is the major aspect to study. Our experimental result shows that vegetation is the effective and economical way of improving stability of slope. It increases that stability of slope by 15 to 25 %.

Slope stability analysis of colluvial deposits along the Muketuri-Alem Ketema Road, Northern Ethiopia

Slope failures are a significant natural geohazard in hilly and mountainous regions, often resulting in loss of life and infrastructure damage. The Muketuri-Alem Ketema road in Ethiopia is particularly vulnerable to landslides due to colluvial deposits on steep slopes from the higher northeastern plots to the lower Jemma River valley. This study investigates the characteristics of colluvial soil and evaluates the stability of slopes prone to landslides. It combines geophysical data, penetrometer tests, laboratory analyses, Google Earth images, and detailed field visits to assess the soil and bedrock composition and structure. Numerical methods, including limit equilibrium (Bishop, Janbu, Spencer, and Morgenstern-Price methods) and finite element methods, were used to analyze slope sections under various saturation conditions and simulate different rainfall patterns. The results indicate that the Bishop, Morgenstern-Price, and Spencer methods produce similar safety factors with minimal differences (<0.3%), while the Janbu method shows more significant variation (1.5%–5.6%). Safety factor differences for sections A-A and B-B range from 5.26% to 9.86% and 3.5%–4.7%, respectively. Simulations reveal that short-term saturation significantly reduces the stability of the upper slope layer by 20%–46.76%, and long-term saturation decreases the entire slope section by 26.81%–46.76% compared to dry conditions due to increased pore water pressure and self-weight. Long-term saturation effects, combined with dynamic loads, can further reduce colluvial soil stability by over 50% compared to a dry static state. The finite element method predicts larger failure zones than limit equilibrium methods, emphasizing the need for accurate predictions to characterize slope behavior during failure and inform stabilization decisions. This study provides crucial data for maintaining and planning the Muketuri-Alem Ketema Road, highlighting slope performance over time and the effectiveness of stabilization techniques.

Comparison of Liquefaction Damage Reduction Performance of Sheet Pile and Grouting Method Applicable to Existing Structures Using 1-G Shaking Table

This study conducted 1-G shaking table tests to compare methods of reducing liquefaction damage during earthquakes. The sheet pile and grouting methods were selected as applicable to existing structures. Model structures were manufactured for two-story buildings. A sine wave with an acceleration of 0.6 g and a frequency of 10 Hz was applied to the input wave. Certain experiments determined the effect of various sheet pile embedded depth ratios and grouting cement mixing ratios on reducing structural damage. The results confirmed that when the sheet pile embedded depth ratio was 0.75, the structure’s settlement decreased by approximately 79% compared to the control model. When the grouting cement mixing ratio was 0.45, the structure’s settlement decreased by approximately 85% compared to the untreated ground. In addition, the sheet pile method suppressed the increase in pore water pressure compared to the grouting method but tended to interfere with the dissipation of pore water pressure after liquefaction occurred. Additionally, comparing the effect of each method on reducing liquefaction damage revealed that the grouting method resulted in less settlement, rotation of the structure, and pore-water-pressure dissipation than the sheet pile method. Overall, the grouting method is more effective in reducing liquefaction damage than the sheet pile method. This study forms a basis for developing a liquefaction-damage reduction method applicable to existing structures in the future.

Upper Bound Limit Analysis of Deep Tunnel Face Support Pressure with Nonlinear Failure Criterion under Pore Water Conditions

Based on the nonlinear failure criterion and modified tangential technique, the upper bound solutions of the critical supporting pressure on the deep tunnel face were obtained under pore water pressure conditions. The influence of parameters on the critical supporting pressure and collapse range was investigated according to the unlimited block failure mechanism. It was found that the upper bound solutions of the critical supporting pressure increase with the growth of the nonlinear coefficient and pore water pressure coefficient. The collapse range of the tunnel face scales out with the increase in the nonlinear coefficient and shrinks with an increasing pore water pressure coefficient. Moreover, with the increase in the nonlinear coefficient, the impact strength on critical supporting pressure and collapse range declines gradually. According to the calculated results, both the pore water pressure and nonlinear criterion factors have negative impacts on the stability of the tunnel face. Thus, more attention should be paid to these parameters to ensure face stability in deep tunnel construction.

Experimental Study on Static and Dynamic Characteristics of Sand–Clay Mixtures with Different Mass Ratios

The alteration of soil static and dynamic characteristics induced by clay content constitutes a crucial issue in the realm of disaster prevention and mitigation within geotechnical engineering. The static and dynamic characteristics of mixed soils with varying sand–clay contents were investigated through the design and implementation of static and dynamic triaxial tests. The relationship between clay content and soil resistance to liquefaction was investigated, with an analysis of the influence of clay content on soil strength and static liquefaction performance. Furthermore, the study examined the soil’s resistance to liquefaction under dynamic constitutive and cyclic loading conditions for soils with varying clay content. Results indicate that stress–strain curves for samples with varying clay content exhibit a consistent trend, with the lowest tangent modulus and peak strength observed in samples containing 30% clay. Increasing clay content diminishes soil’s resistance to liquefaction under static loading conditions. Higher confining pressures correspond to larger tangent moduli and peak deviating stresses in triaxial shear tests. Dynamic shear modulus decreases as clay content increases, whereas damping ratio decreases accordingly. Soil gradation significantly affects liquefaction-induced deformation, with the sample containing 30% clay experiencing the fastest increase in pore water pressure during testing failure, accompanied by fewer cyclic loading cycles until failure occurs. Improving soil gradation and adjusting the sand–clay ratio are beneficial for enhancing both soil strength and its resistance to liquefaction.

Dynamic response of seabed in wind power of deep-shallow sea induced by internal solitary waves

With the development of offshore wind power projects worldwide, the stability of deep and shallow sea wind power sites has become a crucial concern. Internal solitary waves (ISWs) are nonlinear and large amplitude waves in the stratified ocean. Their strong vertical and horizontal motion and vorticity and turbulence caused by fragmentation have an important impact on the marine environment, seabed sediments, and marine engineering. This study focuses on the interaction between ISWs and the seabed of wind power sites in deep and shallow seas. Specifically, we investigate the interaction between ISWs and monopile foundations or floating fan plate anchor structures in the seabed. Through the simulation of CFD software and Comsol software, a law of seabed pore pressure variation during the effect of ISWs on the structure can be well demonstrated. Our results demonstrate that ISWs induce the accumulation of excess pore water pressure around the structures. The monopile foundation experiences negative excess pore water pressure at its bottom and the plate anchor at its top. The pore water pressure at the bottom of the monopile foundation initially decreases and then increases. In contrast, the pore water pressure at the right side of the monopile foundation increases, decreases, and then increases. This phenomenon promotes the settlement of the structure. At the bottom of the plate anchor, there is a sharp increase in positive excess pore water pressure by ISW. The pore water pressure above the plate anchor structure initially decreases and then increases, while below the plate anchor, it increases and then decreases. This phenomenon leads to the movement of the anchorage structure and instability of the surrounding soil. The influence of ISWs on the seabed bottom intensifies with the obstruction of the structure, resulting in significant positive pressure at the bottom. Between the two anchoring structures, there is increased seepage of pore water, making the seabed more prone to instability. Through the study of this article, we know that ISW has different effects on the force of monopile foundation and plate anchor structure, which provides a favorable basis for its design and maintenance.

Mechanism of a rainfall-induced landslide in a large-scale flume experiment on a weathered granite sand

IntroductionsA large-scale flume experiment was performed to evaluate the mechanism of landslide occurrence due to rainfall using weathered granite sand. The dimensions of the flume were 9 m (length), 1 m (width), and 1 m (depth). The weathered granite sand from the actual landslide site at Da Nang City, Vietnam was used. The pore water pressure was measured by a pore-water pressure transducer at two depths (middle and bottom) to determine the process of rainwater infiltration into the soil. The surface deformation was measured with extensometers at three positions of the slope. The deformation of the entire slope was determined by the 160 cylindrical-shaped makers evenly spaced in the slope and three cameras.ResultsThe results showed that the rainfall infiltrated into the slope process, increasing from negative pore water pressure to approximately 0. The maximum shear strain contour has been plotted in total and in time increments. The shear band was detected from the time increments maximum shear strain contour. The localization in the shear band formed just before failure.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this is the largest scale laboratory test ever conducted to calculate the shear band. Moreover, it was found that the failure occurred when the sand was in an unsaturated phase. Failure does not seem to depend on the increase in pore water pressure but on the maximum shear strain. This feature can be used to explain the phenomenon of landslides that occur even when the groundwater level does not increase but large deformation occurs.

Study of The Axial and Lateral Bearing Capacity of Bored Piles Affected by Liquefaction

Abstract Liquefaction can lead to structural failure as it reduces the bearing capacity of building foundations. This phenomenon occurs in saturated sandy soils where pore water pressure increases, significantly decreasing effective soil stress. Evaluating the axial and lateral bearing capacity of bored piles affected by liquefaction is crucial to ensure the stability and performance of foundation systems. This study focuses on assessing the capabilities of bored piles in the Governor’s Office of Sulawesi Barat Province, which are influenced by liquefaction phenomena. The empirical approach applied the O’Neill and Reese 1989 method, while the numerical approach used RS Pile. The calculation results revealed decreased axial bearing capacity under liquefaction conditions. In non-liquefaction, PC.4 can withstand up to 24946 kN, with displacements of 0.94 cm (x), 0.39 cm (y), and 1.12 cm in settlement. In liquefaction, it decreases to 2876.78 kN, with displacements of 1.32 cm (x), 0.86 cm (y), and 1.68 cm in settlement. In non-liquefaction, PC.3 can withstand up to 17407.93 kN with displacements of 0.02 cm (x), 0.04 cm (y), and 0.06 cm in settlement. In liquefaction, it decreases to 1713.05 kN, with displacements of 0.02 cm (x), 0.05 cm (y), and 0.07 cm in settlement.

Liquefaction Potential Analysis of Irrigation Canals at Sidera Area-Sigi Regency

Abstract An earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale that occurred in Palu on 28 September 2018 resulted in liquefaction where the soil lost its bearing capacity due to increased pore water pressure. The liquefaction disaster caused great damage to the Gumbasa Irrigation channel, a large part of which is in the alluvial fan area. This study aims to analyze the potential of liquefaction in irrigation canals in the Sidera village area, Sigi Regency. Using SPT (Standard Penetration Test) data from 2 boreholes with a depth of ± 20 m, MASW data, and Earthquake Risk Map. Researchers analyzed with the Seed Simplified Procedure approach, The researchers analyzed the Simplified Procedure method proposed by Seed, which uses a stress-based approach that uses the ratio of soil shear strength (CRR) and earthquake-induced soil shear stress (CSR). The results of the analysis using Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) of 0.43 and groundwater level variations of -2.85 m (borehole BM 53) and -12.5m (Borehole BM 49) show that liquefaction occurs at depths of 4-8 m (BM 53) and 14-17 m (BM 49). The value of the Liquefaction Potential Index (LPI) increases and indicates a high liquefaction potential below the water table with the highest value of 17.88. The analysis shows that liquefaction is closely related to the shallow water table, soil type, and low N-SPT values. The high liquefaction potential requires prevention methods as a form of treatment.

The Influence of Asphalt Concrete Underlayment on Slope Stability of the Ballasted High-speed Railways

In recent years, a hot mix asphalt layer, known as an underlayment, has been replacing granular sub-ballast in high-speed and heavy haul tracks, aiming to overcome the limitations of traditional ballasted railways. However, there is a lack of literature regarding the impact of this layer on the slope stability of railway embankments. Ensuring the safety of trains and track availability requires a thorough understanding of embankment slope stability. Hence, this study examined the influence of the underlayment. layer on slope stability in ballasted high-speed railway embankments. Using Slope/W software, twelve embankment models with 2H:1V and 1.5H:1V slopes were analyzed. Half the number of the models were traditional ballasted, while the others incorporated the underlayment layer. Different heights (3, 6, and 8m) were simulated to evaluate the effect on slope stability for both slope levels and track cross-sections. The analysis focused on gravitational force and neglected the increase in pore water pressure. Safety factors for slope slipping surface were used to quantify stability. The findings revealed that the underlayment layer enhances slope stability by 8% to 31% in high-speed railway embankments. However, the degree of improvement decreases with increasing embankment height, and steeper slopes benefit more from the underlayment layer compared to gentler slopes. While these results are promising, further research is needed to investigate the impact of varying pore water pressure on asphaltic tracks.

Study on the Characteristics and Evolution Laws of Seepage Damage in Red Mud Tailings Dams

Seepage damage is a significant factor leading to red mud tailings dam failures. Laboratory tests on seepage damage were conducted to investigate the damage characteristics and distribution laws of red mud tailings dams, including soil pressure, infiltration line, pore water pressure, dam displacement, and crack evolution. The findings revealed the seepage damage mechanisms of red mud slopes, offering insights for the safe operation and seepage damage prevention of red mud tailings dams. The results showed that the higher the water level is in the red mud tailings dam, the higher position the infiltration line is when it reaches the slope face. At the highest infiltration line point of the slope surface, the increase of pore water pressure is the highest and the change of horizontal soil pressure is the highest. Consequently, increased pore water pressure leads to decreased effective stress and shear strength, increasing the susceptibility to damage. Cracks resulting from seepage damage predominantly form below the infiltration line; the higher the infiltration lines is on the slope surface, the higher the position of the main crack formations is. The displacement of the dam body primarily occurs due to the continuous expansion of major cracks; the higher the infiltration lines are on the slope surface, the larger the displacement of the dam body is.

Analysis of the thermo-hydro-mechanical coupled dynamic response of sediments under eccentric driving of deep-sea mining vehicle

This study establishes a coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical dynamic model(THMD) for saturated porous sediments under the eccentric motion of a deep-sea mining vehicle, considering the characteristics of deep-sea sediments. We applied the method of complex Fourier series expansion to simplify the coupled equations into ordinary differential equations and obtained the complex Fourier series expansion forms of various physical quantities of sediments during the eccentric movement of the mining vehicle. The undetermined constants are determined based on boundary conditions, yielding a series representation of the solution for THMD of deep-sea sediments. Subsequently, the solution was utilized to investigate the influence of mining vehicle parameters on the dynamic response of deep-sea sediments. This study demonstrates that the vertical displacement, vertical stress, and excess pore water pressure of sediments increase as the speed of the mining vehicle increases. Furthermore, the vertical displacement, vertical stress, and excess pore water pressure increase with the increment of load amplitude, and the differences in the curves at different eccentricities gradually become larger as the load amplitude increases. The proposed model can be applied to geotechnical engineering problems in saturated porous foundations, providing a necessary theoretical basis and analytical approach.

The impact of initial fabric anisotropy on cyclic liquefaction behavior with polygonal particles using the discrete element method (DEM)

Liquefaction is one of the most significant phenomena that can occur in soil during an earthquake. The destructive effects of this phenomenon on earth structures have captured the attention of many geotechnical engineers. Additionally, the gradual increase in pore water pressure during the cyclic loading induced by the propagation of earthquake waves, known as cyclic liquefaction, is a crucial factor that might lead to the complete loss of shear strength in soils. A better understanding of cyclic liquefaction is essential for improving earthquake hazard analysis and mitigating structural damage. Factors influencing liquefaction behavior include particle size, particle grading, and soil fabric. By “soil fabric,” we refer to the arrangement and positioning of particles with each other, particle shape, and the shape of voids among particles. This research aims to focus on the effects of fabric anisotropy on cyclic liquefaction of granular soils with angular particles. To carry out this investigation, the discrete element method has been employed. In the discrete element method, the geometry of particles and, generally, the soil fabric can be considered. In this research, specimens with varying particle orientation angles were produced and subjected to cyclic loading tests under undrained conditions. By examining the stress paths of specimens during cyclic loading, it is observed that the initial fabric and inherent anisotropy significantly influence the behavior of the specimens. Inherent anisotropy leads to varying numbers of cycles required for the initial liquefaction of each specimen. Furthermore, it is observed that as the particle orientation angle increases, the localization of axial strains shifts from tensile to compressive directions. The effect of inherent anisotropy plays a substantial role in the initial liquefaction (ru = 1). If the liquefaction of specimens is of interest at lower values of ru, the effect of inherent anisotropy can be disregarded.

Analysis of the Influence of Groundwater Level on Slope Stability at Highwall PT. X, South Kalimantan

Mine slope design is an important part of mining operations because it is used to determine the balance between mine economy and operational safety. In the mine slope design there will also be a groundwater level design, the groundwater level is one of the triggers for a slide to occur. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effect of the groundwater level on the stability of the highwall slope cross section A-A’ as well as to determine the factor of safety value and probability of slope failure under various conditions of high groundwater levels. This research method uses quantitative methods because there are numerical data that will be used to calculate the value of slope stability. Slope stability analysis uses the “morgenstern-price” boundary equilibrium and the “monte-carlo” landslide probability. From the research results it is known that the higher the groundwater level, the lower the safety factor value because the presence of groundwater can reduce slope stability causing a decrease in soil shear strength due to increased pore water pressure. In addition, the weight of the material will increase due to the presence of groundwater, which causes the driving force on the slope to also increase. In addition, the movement of air in the soil can cause seepage forces which can affect slope stability. The lowest safety factor value is at the groundwater level 100% of the overall slope height, in conditions of 100% of the overall slope height, the deterministic safety factor value is 1.337, the mean safety factor is 1.358, and 0% hazard susceptibility.

Behavior of Sand Specimens Subjected to Cyclic Loads under Drained and Undrained Conditions in Variable Loading Amplitudes

Dynamic loads with different magnitudes cause shear stress and strain in the soil and increase the pore water pressure, reducing soil strength and leading to structural failure. This article presents the behavior of natural river-sand specimens subjected to cyclic loads under both drained and undrained conditions, as observed in cyclic triaxial tests conducted in the laboratory. The experiments were performed on sand specimens with a relative compaction of 0.95 when changing the loading amplitude with three different levels of 30 kPa, 50 kPa and 60 kPa. Experimental results show that, under the condition of drained cycle load, the pore water pressure does not form; only accumulated strain and dynamic parameters are almost unchanged. Meanwhile, with the condition of undrained cyclic load, the pore water pressure increases and causes liquefaction of the specimen, then the axial strain increases dramatically and is not capable of recovery. When varying the loading amplitude under drained condition, the initial-strength values increase as the amplitude of the load increases. This trend has the opposite direction when testing under undrained condition, which means that when increasing the loading amplitude, the initial-strength values decrease and the liquefaction potential of the specimens is faster. Further, under the undrained condition, the loading amplitude of 30 kPa effect is almost negligible on the liquefaction ability of the specimen. Keywords: Sand, Drained condition, Undrained condition, Loading amplitude, Cyclic triaxial tests

Instability evolution of expansive soil slope due to short duration-varying intensities of rainfall

This study examines the evolution of instability in induced expansive soil slopes under varying rainfall intensities. The destabilization evolution of expansive soil slopes and their stability under three different rainfall intensities were revealed through indoor modelling and numerical simulation. The findings indicate that slopes are not destabilized by short duration and low rainfall intensity alone. Slope failure under strong rainfall intensity follows a three-stage evolutionary process. As rainfall intensity increases, the slope's water content, soil pressure, and pore water pressure increase. However, the stress at each monitoring point of the slope affected by rainfall follows a different pattern. Under low rainfall intensity, the water content of the slope surface is higher than that of the slope foot. Under strong rainfall conditions, the water content of the slope foot is higher than that of the slope surface. Therefore, it is important to implement seepage prevention measures on the slope surface and drainage measures on the slope foot to ensure slope stability. Rainfall affects the soil pressure at each monitoring point of the slope, causing unloading on the slope surface and fluctuation at the foot of the slope. This phenomenon becomes more pronounced with increasing rainfall intensity. Numerical simulation confirms that the overall horizontal displacement distance of the slope increases with rainfall intensity, but the horizontal displacement range becomes shallower. The slope's maximum horizontal displacement occurs at its foot, with values of 0.29 m and 0.34 m under moderate and heavy rainfall, respectively, representing a growth rate of 17 %. Settlement of the slope under different rainfall intensities was greatest at the top of the slope area. The lateral stresses generated by the settlement resulted in soil uplift at the leading edge of the slope.